Scandinavian Spaces Moss Options:

About Reindeer Moss

Reindeer Moss is a carpet-forming lichen growing freely and abundantly in boreal and arctic regions around the circumpolar north. It is found primarily in areas of alpine tundra and is extremely cold-hardy.

Reindeer Moss is a carpet-forming lichen growing freely and abundantly in boreal and arctic regions around the circumpolar north. It is found primarily in areas of alpine tundra and is extremely cold-hardy.

The lichen has been used by Scandinavians in a wide variety of areas, including as a filling material in wooden huts, as an ingredient in soups and desserts, and in Christmas decoration. It is also used in the creation of dyes, in the manufacture of litmus paper, and is the primary lichen used for miniature trees in architecture and railway modelling.

In 2014, the founders of Nordgröna, then students at Lund University in Sweden, discovered the lichen’s outstanding ability to absorb sound. This led to a creation of a new product combining modern demands with a traditional material. Sound absorbers made from natural Reindeer Moss are now used in office and public spaces worldwide.

Hand-picked with care for nature

Our Reindeer Moss is picked by hand, following strict rules in terms of environment and sustainability across an area of about 15.000 km² (5800 mi²). The lichen is picked in a checkerboard pattern, and only from parts above a specified length in order to allow for the best possible conditions for regrowth. No more than 20% of the amount is picked at a time, and the area is not revisited again for at least 4-5 years. The lichen grows the fastest during the Spring period, and is not collected during the Winter period during which the ground is covered in snow.

Picking lichen requires a governmental permit and approval of landowners, which include forestry companies, municipalities, and private individuals. The collection of lichen maintains employment for rural communities, and is a requirement in some forest areas where overgrowth of the lichen inhibits propagation of plants and animals. The picking of the lichen is subject to a rigorous review (ISO 9001) conducted every 3 years and encompasses all company activities.